No matter what my technonerd offspring says, thin is definitely in! Only those that have a passion for screwing around with software and peripherals need to suffer by carrying around what have become commonly referred to as "desktop replacements".

These doorstops can weigh-in as much as nine pounds, which can result in aches and pains in areas of your neck and shoulders that you never knew existed.

My motto has always been: If you don't need 'em, don't carry 'em. And this especially applies to notebook computers.

Most folks really only need to lug along their computers to work on reports, maintain contact with the office by email or deliver presentations that are stored on their hard drives. They don't need to install programs, transfer files to disk or do anything else that would require the extra weight of CD or floppy drives.

In other words, they don't need to carry around all that extra weight. And, if they do need access to those drives, mose of the newer notebooks come with docking stations that attach to the bottoms of the computers. And guess what? They then resemble -- and weigh as much as -- their heavier counterparts.

As for other thinner components:

-- Where was Dave when cellular phones were about the size of small watermellons and weighed almost as much? No doubt he would've wished for a smaller, lighter model.

-- My PDA is about the size and thickness of a credit card. I've never had a problem with it. It fits in my shirt pocket. And I don't have to lug around a handheld computer that's 100-times larger.

The verdict: If you don't need 'em, don't carry 'em! Shed a few pounds It'll make you a better --- and probably happier --- person!

Lighter, smaller, thinner, faster. Faster faster faster!!!

*ahem*

Cellphones, computers, organizers, watches and other electronic doodads are getting smaller each and every day. I still have a Compaq 286 Lunchpail sitting on one of my desks. For those unfamiliar with what that is, it's a 30lb laptop with a keyboard that flips out. Nowadays laptops weigh less than a pound.

Thankfully we're not forced to go with these thin, slender and sleek gizmos.

Did Dave -- that charming sonofagun -- just say what I think he did?

That's right, JOCGEEK.com readers, I said "Thankfully we're not forced to go with these thin, slender and sleek gizmos."

There's a multitude of reasons not to do it. Here's a few:

-- One word: flimsy.-- Expandability and upgradability tend to be a problem.-- Everything that you add to them attaches externally.-- External = SLOW.-- Packing up all the components requires a suitcase.-- Battery life typically stinks.-- Mike's all for it.

I'd rather have a machine that I can open up and add things to. I'm perfectly happy with my 5lb laptop that has an internal floppy and DVD-ROM. Its slim counterpart comes with a floppy and DVD-ROM, too but they're external and optional. Not only that, in order to attach them you need a docking station or port replicator. Show them the money!

Even servers are coming in smaller and smaller form factors. Look at the new DELL 1550s. They're smaller than my laptop! And while you may be able to stack more of these bad boys on a computer rack, you have to ask yourself, is thin really in?

Sadly, there may be no convincing Mike that it's not all about looking pretty -- he needs more help than I do -- but hopeully a few thousand of you will see it my way -- the right way.